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A look inside Music at FPD

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Can you believe that we are already in week 7 of the school year? Or, that Thanksgiving is only 8 weeks away? Wow! Time is flying :)

We are busy in the music room as well! The 3rd grade spent two weeks learning a poem called "Dinosaur Zoo" with a rhythmic ostinato. We learned that an ostinato is a rhythm pattern that repeats over and over and over. We put both parts together, first with words, and then with instruments. Below are two videos of the process. Video one shows the words and body percussion. Video two shows the words removed and played on rhythm sticks and frame drums.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

We are in week 5 of the school year and are moving along. The music classes are talking about rhythm, singing voice, and playing instruments this week. Here are a few of the highlights!

The Wee Vikings (3K)

The Wee Vikings were so excited to get to use their first instruments this week! We played a few rhythm games with the Boomwhackers. Boomwhackers are plastic, tuned tubes. They can be played on a hand, a knee, the floor, and even a head. Each color of tube is a different pitch, giving us lots of opportunities for playing them in class.

Holding the Boomwhackers in the air!

Keeping the steady beat

Moving with the Music

In 2nd grade this week, we are working on a folk dance to the song "Seven Jumps." This song is from Denmark. The "jumps" are different chords that are held for different amounts of time. Since the lengths of the notes are always different, it makes for some interesting dancing. Here is a video of a 2nd grade class doing the "Seven Jumps" dance this week!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

I have the privilege of teaching the students at the FPD Downtown Campus twice a month on Thursdays. Today was my first day, and oh my, what a great place to be! If you have not had a chance to visit down there, I would highly suggest it. The building is beautiful and Ms. Harris and Ms. Lucas are wonderful. We even have our own music room to be in.

Since this campus is still young, I see everyone in the school at the same time! There are 13 kids, from 3K-Kindergarten downtown. They really have a great time together, and I can tell they learn a lot from each other. Today, we did the ever-popular "Finger Dance," danced with my friend "Jump Jim Joe," and even had a chance to rock out with Pete the Cat.

I look forward to getting to know these children and bringing music class to FPD Downtown!